Tennis, Anyone? Group Hoping to Grow Sport in Oak Creek

Tennis has always been a focal point in Mark Osiecki's life. 

To Osiecki, the junior-varsity tennis coach at Oak Creek High School, it's more than a sport. It's a lifestyle - and a good one.

"(Tennis) promotes nothing but healthy living," he says.

But the sport has never gained a ton of traction in Oak Creek, or southeastern Milwaukee County in general. The Knights' tennis program, while large in numbers, doesn't come close to the success of a school like Brookfield or Nicolet.

Osiecki and a group of roughly 15 other tennis enthusiasts are hoping to change that and spread their love of tennis to others in the community.

They formed a group called the South Suburban Community Tennis Association last August, with a goal of promoting tennis for all ages and abilities to the Oak Creek, Franklin and South Milwaukee communities.

A kickoff event for kids will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday at Oak Creek High School, featuring lots of fun games and drills, as well as music, face painting and other activities.

The festival serves as a springboard for programs happening the rest of the year, Osiecki said. 

The SSMCTA is linked with the United States Tennis Association, which is making similar efforts throughout the country.

Sharing the love

Osiecki said growing the sport locally is his own way of "paying it forward." Tennis has been hugely beneficial to him and he hopes others can reap the same rewards.

"If I can get a couple kids interested and keep them playing, I feel they would have a good life," Osiecki said.

The local interest in tennis is there, but many OCHS students who go out for the team have never picked up a racket, Osiecki said. With more programs for youth, the SSMCTA hopes to build kids' interest at an earlier age.

The group is not just focused on kids, either. Osiecki and other group members believe there is a void for tennis players after they graduate high school, so the group is trying to create opportunities for tennis players of all ages.

***

MORE INFO:

• The SSMCTA
• Midwest Youth Team Tennis